There are times we feel our emotions are on the boil and we need to let off steam. Our concept of the ideal self is not prone to emotional expression. As a result we pull in the reins on our emotions so tightly that we damage them.

Even Jesus expressed anger. The Bible does not say that anger is a sin. Anger is an emotional response to a perceived injustice. Anger is an emotion. Emotions are neither good or bad. They just are. Jesus expressed his feelings. We read in the gospel records that he wept (John 11:35, Luke 19:41). He rejoiced (Luke 10:21). He felt despairing (Matthew 26:38; Mark 14:34). He got angry (Mark 3:5). I detect some emotion flaring up as He drove the money changers out of the temple (John 2:14-17), called Herod a 'fox' (Luke 13:32) and charged the Pharisees with being 'blind fools', 'sons of hell', 'snakes', 'brood of vipers', 'whitewashed tombs', 'murderers', and 'hypocrites' (Matthew 23).

In all of this Jesus was acting in submission to the Father and perfect love. How do we express anger without sinning (Ephesians 4:26)? What is the difference between a holy joy and foolish talking and coarse joking (Ephesians 5:4)? This fine balance comes out of a heart desire to honor God, put off the old nature and live in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is only then that our personalities can be so finely tuned that we can be both wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

In Ephesians 4:26 Paul gives an unusual command: "BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger." He doesn't say try to suppress your feelings. Nor does he say, "It's O.K. to get angry once in a while." He says, "Be angry". Acknowledge your feelings." But then he says, "Be careful in how you handle your emotions." They are not reliable indicators of truth. Take your perceptions to God in prayer and receive wisdom and strength to resolve your conflicts: Sin not. Don't let your anger turn to resentment, bitterness jealousy or hatred. In fact, don't let the sun go down without properly dealing with anger. If we deny our emotions or go underground with them, they will simmer and burn beneath our conscious psyche, eventually erupting in unexpected forms of emotional, mental and physical illness.

David expressed his feelings to God. We hear him ventilating his frustration and anger in the Psalms. In Psalm 69-71, for example, God gives a forgiving ear to his cries for vindication and restores his hope. He learns that emotions are not an indicator of reality. God's word is true. Feeling that God is distant does not mean that He is distant. God is true to His Word. In an atmosphere of unconditional acceptance, David ventilated his unbelief and distorted perceptions: "Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence." (Psalm 73:13). He wallowed in self pity: "All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning. When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me" (Psalm 73:14). After exhaling his emotional travail, he is ready to inhale the revelation of the Spirit and gain true perspective in the sanctuary of God's presence (Psalm 73:17).

Where do you take your frustrations? Do you bury them underground? Is your spiritual, mental, emotional and physical life suffering from the internal bleeding of your soul? Is anger eating you up from within? Take that anger to the cross. There we can freely ventilate. It is there we see God's just verdict upon our sinful selves. It is there that we reckon ourselves dead in Adam and alive in Christ. It is there we receive our pardon, our peace and our power for living a holy life. It is there we find sanctuary and can rest in the finished work of Christ. It is there we experience the rich exchange of grace: beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3).

There is room for proper ventilation at the cross. Exhale your perceptions. Inhale the power of His Spirit.